Indian by birth, Pakistani by migration and British by chance, Ali Zaidi draws upon this cultural displacement to pursue creative explorations of commonality and difference through art. Zaidi creates fresh participatory experiences for new audiences by inviting them to collectively reflect on issues around identity and question static perceptions of culture. Moving fluidly between diverse art forms, including film, live art, installation and digital technology, he fuses them with great ease and ingenuity.

Zaidi graduated in graphic design from National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan. Started work as an illustrator, soon became art-director for an advertising agency, won awards for many print and media campaigns, moved on to lecture in photography at his old art school and through British Council fellowship did his masters from Chelsea School of Art. In 1988 he met with artist Keith Khan, made prolific work together and co-founded motiroti in 1996. Zaidi has been leading the artistic vision of motiroti since 2004.